2007 Award Winners

24th Tottenham Scout Group - London

The 24th Tottenham Scout Group is a special needs scout group that aims to give disabled young people the chance to fully participate in scouting activities in a fun and safe environment.

Set up over 52 years ago, the Group create opportunities for children with a range of complex and profound disabilities. Members of the group are able to undertake a range of activities including rock-climbing, archery, shooting, canoeing an abseiling as well as social activities such as day trips to Paris, week and weekend camps, barbeques and camp fire evenings. All the Tottenham Scout Group members fully participate in all decisions about social activities as well as have fun and lots of laughs.

Contact: Paul Mari
Call: 020 8886 0408

Aberdeen City Mission - Scotland

Aberdeen City Mission (ACM) is a Christian charity that recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work in a variety of outreach initiatives across Aberdeen. Founded in 1886, ACM now has 70 volunteers who offer their support to a diverse group of people on the margins of Aberdeen society.

ACM runs a number of projects that benefit those living in Aberdeen who require help, advice and support. ‘The Haven’ drop in for example is a place of refuge where people with a variety of needs can enjoy a cooked meal as well as practical support in the form of clothing, furniture and advocacy in a safe, non-threatening environment. ‘The Haven’ is run by a group of 30 dedicated volunteers who work on a rota basis to prepare, cook and serve food and chat with the guests. The ‘Quay’ Drop-in was successfully piloted earlier this year and will start up again in October to provide similar support to ‘The Haven’ as well as helping the homeless on the streets of Aberdeen each Friday night over the winter months until April. The ‘Lighthoose’ 1-2-1 support centre at Tillydrone (established 3½ years ago) is currently being expanded to meet the growing demand for its services and will be ready for July.

“This is a fantastic honour for ACM. Our team of enthusiastic volunteers will be delighted to see that their hard work and dedication has resulted in ACM receiving such a prestigious Award” - Mr Adrian Davies, Director of Aberdeen City Mission.

Contact: Mr Adrian Davies
Call: 01224 639828

Airdrie Music Project - Scotland

The Airdrie Music Project provides musical opportunities, venues and tuition for young people from Airdrie and beyond to showcase musical talent to their peers.

Set up 7 years ago, Airdrie Music Project runs music events in conjunction with the @home centre in Airdrie, regularly attracting over 300 young participants a month. Such a project provides a much-needed social environment for young people who may otherwise be at risk of offending or becoming a victim of crime.

Young people who attend the Airdrie Music Project workshops and events can receive all manner of musical experiences and tuition including guitar lessons, studio work and the opportunity to star in liver performances. Many attendees have gone on to set up their own musical enterprises of the back of the training they have received.

Contact: Aidan Canning
Call: 01236 756 356

Ardler Environment Group - Scotland

Ardler Environment Group aims to improve the local Ardler environment through practical regeneration and educational activities to local groups and schools.

The Ardler Environment Group was set up in response to a substantial regeneration project in the Ardler area of Dundee over recent years. Following the development of new open spaces, the Group formed to promote and maintain these open spaces. Working closely with the Urban Ranger based in Ardler, volunteers project work includes wildflower planting, litter picking, working with schools and environmental initiatives and habitat preservation for bats, birds and amphibians.

The Group’s latest project has been to build a Community Garden in the centre of Ardler which has received much praise since its recent completion. To further add to the Group’s acclaim, in 2005 and again in 2006, the Ardler Environment Group won the regeneration category of the ‘Beautiful Scotland in Bloom’ competition.

Bargeddie Forward - Scotland

Bargeddie Forward is a voluntary organisation that provides the village of Bargeddie in North Lanarkshire with social and recreational clubs, committees, and community seasonal events.

Since it’s inception 5 years ago, Bargeddie Forward has provided facilities for the community that they would otherwise have gone without. For example, Bargeddie Forward host an after school club twice a week from 3pm – 5pm as well as a pre-5 club once a week which, having expanded from 12 children to 30, has resulted in parents requesting another day. In addition to after school clubs, Bargeddie Forward host a youth club once a week, a keep fit club, an annual gala and Christmas parade.

“This is a fantastic achievement for us! Our team of volunteers will be delighted to see that their hard work and dedication has resulted in an award of this calibre. We work really hard to allow our community to enjoy their environment via out of school activities and clubs for all ages, this will be greatly received by our hard working volunteers.” rs Catriana Lessani, Chairperson for Bargeddie Forward.

Contact: Mrs Catriana Lessani
Call: 0796 345 8592

Basics Hampshire - South East

Volunteers at BASICS Hampshire are doctors and nurses who work alongside the Ambulance Service to improve the care of critically ill or injured adults and children by 'bringing the hospital to the patient'.

Serving a population of more than one and a half million people, the 25 members of BASICS Hampshire give their time free of charge. Despite working long hours in hospitals and surgeries they attended over 1,000 incidents in Hampshire last year alone.

The BASICS Hampshire volunteers are on call 24/7 and save life and limb and relieve suffering by providing sophisticated care at the roadside, including general anaesthesia, life saving operations and even open heart surgery. This allows a patient to be stabilised for a longer journey from the accident scene to a more specialised hospital such as one with children's intensive care or a brain surgery department. Road traffic crashes make up the main workload, but Hampshire BASICS volunteers have assisted at Major Incidents including train and aircraft crashes and the London Bombings on July 7th.

It costs £15,000 to equip one BASICS member and volunteers raise the money needed through donations, raffles, sponsored walks and second hand sales. The aim is to provide advanced training to a greater number of medical volunteers so that more calls for help can be answered.

Contact: Mrs Lynne Caine
Call: 02392 343709
Website: www.hants.gov.uk/basics

Brent Ladies Football Club - London

Brent Ladies Football Club is run by a group of 26 volunteers who engage young women in Brent via the team spirit of football. They raise awareness of issues facing youth today including inequality, discrimination and crime to empower and encourage positive change in life and valuable contributions to society. The Club has seen participation of over 70 young women during the past year and these include women from ethnic minority groups, refugee groups, travellers and English as well as other British youth within the Brent community.

The Club organises football tournaments and festivals for the whole community and provides coaching schemes for young people who want to become FA coaches, nutritionists or referees. The Club also offers a boys and girls football coaching academy to schools and community groups.

The Club recently received a charter standard club award from the FA for providing football within a safe and secure environment. The charter Standard scheme is a best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League. As a benchmark for quality, it will improve the playing experience for all.

The Clubs previous awards include a certificate from Kick It Out for delivering an anti-racism week of action projects to the communities and a certificate from Hillside Housing Trust for outstanding achievement in female football within the Stonebridge area. Through their contribution and hard working campaign against racism in society, some of the Clubs’ volunteers were chosen to go to Paris in May to take part in a FARE (Football Against Racism Europe) conference sponsored by Kick It Out (Kick Racism Out Of Football campaigning body UK). Whilst in Paris, they meet and shared good practice with other ‘anti racism in football’ groups from 20 different nationalities and watched the famous football team Paris St Germain.

Current projects for Brent Ladies Football Club include the filming of their own documentary and they are looking to launch and distribute this shortly in order to promote and spread the word on their good community work.

“We are honoured to receive an award of this kind. We work hard in the community to engage some of our young women through the team spirit of football. This is a great accolade and one which our team of hard working volunteers will, I am sure, treasure” – Miss Kadra Ege, Club founder and Manager of Brent Ladies Football Club

Contact: Miss Kadra Ege
Call: 07956 58 96 53
Website: www.brentladiesfc.co.uk

Bristol Taleem - ul - Islam Trust - South West

Bristol Taleem - ul - Islam Trust is an Islamic Sunday school for children and young people aged 4 to 18. It provides an Islamic education and offers GCSEs in Islamic studies. The school is open to the whole community and aims to promote good citizenship.

The school believes that in teaching and supporting children in matters of faith as well as social and educational achievement, they are preparing a good foundation for their personal development and their lives as citizens.

BTIT started in 1982 with 4 volunteers and 45 pupils. 25 years on, it has since grown to over 100 volunteers and 650 pupils on the register. BTIT takes place in the heart of the inner city at The City Academy Bristol with whom they have a longstanding partnership. The school offers 23 different classes based on age and ability, sports activities and supports local mainstream schools with revision classes for SATs and GCSE and also holds the ‘School 2 School’ Kids Summer Club open to all communities.

After the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks, BTIT helped children talk about Islam with their fellow school children and helped address any related bullying or misunderstandings.

“It is real honour to be selected to receive this prestigious award from among thousands of community stars of the voluntary and community world - we have been on autopilot for the last few years and this award reminds and recognises the successful work of the parents, teachers, sports coaches, support staff and trustees and how much impact this has on the children and the wider community.

My grateful thanks and appreciation to the past and present staff for their time and efforts. Without their dedication, commitment and perseverance, the effective running of the school would not have been possible. It has been a privilege to work along side them and by receiving the Queen’s award I am also extra proud of them now” - Javed Yousuf – Head teacher

Contact:
Javed Yousuf
Call: 0117 955 8155 / 0774 0453127
Email: j@yousuf2554.fslife.co.uk

Mohammed Phillip Wray
01761410681/07900884067
islamic_classes@btinternet.com

Camel Group - South West

The Camel Group has been running for 20 years and is run and operates for members of the community who have mental health problems, helping them to live independent lives within the community.

The Group runs two days a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10-1.30 in St Johns Church in Delabole. On Tuesdays the Group provides a selection of food for the younger visitors as well as the usual fare, and on Fridays, a traditional roast is served. The Group also runs its own pick up service for its visitors and, through subsidies on transport from the Cornwall Partnership Trust, takes visitors shopping and on day trips.

Visitors also have the chance to talk about their problems at the ‘family chat’ sessions hosted by Group leader, Rosemary Wickett. For more in depth one-to-one chats, Reverend Knowles from the local Parish offers sessions on the Friday.

Carisma - North West

Carisma works with young people in the Moss Side area of Manchester to encourage a more positive image of themselves through advocacy and networking. By diverting vulnerable youths away from a life of gang culture, drugs and crime, the group aims to assist them in creating positive life chances.

Carisma was set up following the mobilisation of a large section of the community in Moss Side area in a march again Gangs and Guns in 2002. Since its inception, Carisma has launched Manchester Peace Week, now in its 5th year, to promote a more coherent community through raising awareness of the perils of gang violence and weapon use. The Good Riddance Campaign that Carisma ran during Peace Week was instrumental in removing weapons from the streets of Moss Side. This year for Peace Week, Carisma are focusing on educating children with their ‘NO MORE gun and gang violence’ message – a message of SELF WORTH and VALUE. This Peace Week, Carisma has been involved in visiting 18 schools to educate children and encourage them to aspire to more positive role models amongst their friends and family.

“This is such an honour for us. We have worked really hard to educate the younger generation in Moss Side and the surrounding neighbourhoods and it’s always rewarding to be recognised for our hard work and achievement ” – Mrs Erinma Bell, Carisma Chairperson

Contact: Mrs Erinma Bell
Call: 07956 469 498

Cedar Tree Residents Association - West Midlands

Cedar Tree Residents Association provides community support to the residents of Camp Hill and members of Cedar Tree as well as assists in the regeneration of the Camp Hill area with an aim of making it a safer, better and cleaner place to live.

The Association works within North Warwickshire that has the highest rate of crime and deprivation in the County. The Association work to support the community with the aim of making their surrounding environment a safer place to live. Some of their work includes providing disadvantaged families and pensioners with gifts and food parcels, offering sporting activities and job seeking skills for youngsters looking for work and supporting older members of the community looking to return to paid work. The association also provides transport to the community via their 17 seated mini bus donated to the groups by Elite Recruitment.

The Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts, Macon Way in Crewe - North West

The Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts has gained a national reputation in the field of disability sport. It trains young people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities in ten different sports working with over 300 children per week.

Over the last decade it has trained World and European champions in a range of disability sports. It starts with children as young as 18 months old and includes programmes for children with profound disabilities.

Jane Whetnall, Academy Director says:

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Academy. They have the opportunity to specialise in their chosen sport and to follow the children from beginners to advanced level. When children realise that they can succeed and excel at a sport they develop a tremendous sense of self worth and achievement and their self esteem blossoms. To gain the Queens Award for Voluntary Service is a great honour for the whole Academy and is a tribute to the tremendous work of all the staff, children and volunteers who have worked so hard over the years.”

Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man

Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man is a bereavement support organisation run by a group of 45 volunteers. Set up 18 years ago, Cruse Isle of Man offers counselling and support with unrestricted access to all bereaved persons via either one-to-one sessions, friendship groups or network support groups.

The Group was established in late 1988 due to local demand, and was set up through members of other support groups. The 45 strong network of volunteers, has 34 bereavement support counsellors who host the bereavement sessions. They undertake an extensive programme of 60 hours training followed by a further 60 hours probationary period of counselling and supervision before becoming fully accredited.

All volunteers offer a flexible bereavement programme where counsellors can host sessions in the either the client’s home or at the office. As well as counselling sessions, the Group have been actively involved in running bereavement awareness training for teachers, support workers, ancillary and secretarial staff in schools, as well as for corporate entities.

A more recent and innovative project is the introduction of a programme tackling the issue of grief and bereavement in the school community. Reaching all but one high school on the Isle of Man, Cruse Isle of Man has negotiated a long-term rolling programme. Following receipt of a £6,000 grant from Children In Need, Cruse Isle of Man set about working with their local schools to plan a 40-minute interactive workshop in which grief and bereavement are discussion topics. During the 2006/2007 academic year, 80 workshops were presented by Cruse Isle of Man’s Youth Project Officer within the schools’ PSHE curriculum. Using examples, stories, student interaction and feedback forms, pupils are able to confront issues that may otherwise have lain dormant. Since the inception of the project in May 2006 Cruse Isle of Man has seen a dramatic leap in youth referrals, from 6 in the previous financial year (April 2005-March 2006) to 18 in the financial year April 2006 – March 2007.

Future plans for Cruse Isle of Man include an organised adventure weekend in the Isle of Man for young people who have suffered or are suffering bereavement. The main aim is for the children to have fun but there are also opportunities for discussion and counsel.

“We are honoured to receive an award of this kind. Our group of hard working volunteers have provided 35,000 hours of their time since inception, so I am delighted that our great team will be rewarded in this way” – Mrs Lorna Trevethan, Administrator of Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man.

Contact: Mrs Lorna Trevethan
Email: lornacruseiom@manx.net
Call: 01624 668192
Website: www.cruseisleofman.org

Duns and District Amateur Operatic Society (DDAOS) - Scotland

Duns and District Amateur Operatic Society was set up to encourage all ages in the community of Berwickshire to participate in dramatic and operatic arts either on stage or behind the scenes.

DDAOS was set up 47 years ago to recognise the pool of talent in the county and address the demand for light opera entertainment and the need for a theatre in which to host operatic events.

All members involved in DDAOS have the opportunity to host an opera in the spring, a pantomime in the late autumn and a series of musical evenings through out the year. The activities provided are wide ranging: acting, singing, dancing, set design, lighting, costume design and ticket selling.

Eastbourne and South Wealden MS Society - South East

Eastbourne and South Wealden MS Society support those affected by multiple sclerosis in and around the Eastbourne area including their carers and families.

Set up over 34 years ago, the Society now have 35 volunteers who work with over 400 people across Eastbourne via a range of community programmes including: support groups for men, women and the newly-diagnosed; luncheon clubs; physiotherapy and health checks for carers. The society also funds an ambulance that they use to escort their clients around, meaning that they needn’t be excluded from the wider society.

Three years ago following a huge fundraising campaign, the Society was able to open its own MS Centre in Eastbourne, which serves a large part of East Sussex. The Society offers support and counsel to those affected by MS and is active in campaigning for equal rights for the disabled. For example, a year ago the Society formed SWAG – Scooter and Wheelchair Action Group, set up to tackle access issues for disabled people.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the third award for Eastbourne & South Wealden MS Society in the past 6 months. In 2006, the Society won the National MS Society ‘Innovative Service Award’ and at the Achievers Awards hosted in April this year in Eastbourne, Chairman, Bernard Curtis, received the 'Outstanding Volunteer Award 2007'.

With regards to future plans, the Society is currently raising the funds to purchase larger premises to work from. The current centre has become a victim of its own success after only three years and as such, a massive fundraising campaign is underway to cover the costs of a new location.

“We are honoured to receive an award of this kind. Our group of hard working volunteers have provided invaluable support for people affected by MS and their carers throughout East Sussex. This is the highest accolade we could receive in the voluntary sector and every member of our team feels extremely honoured to be recognised in this way. We hope that through winning the Award, we can help raise awareness of MS and encourage others in the community to become volunteers.” Mr Bernard Curtis, Chairman, Eastbourne and South Wealden MS Society.

Contact: Mr Bernard Curtis
Call: 01323 508969

Ferndown Jitsu Club - South West

Ferndown Jitsu Club offers children aged 7-18 the chance to learn the martial art of Ju Jitsu.

The Club trains weekly with approximately 40 children and young people. Established in 2000 to provide a facility for youth living in and around Tricketts Cross, Ferndown, where activities and facilities for young people were very restricted.

Under excellent leadership, the group has won many National awards including Jitsu Foundation Martial Arts club of the Year 2004/05, Junior Jitsu Atemi Champions 2005 and has participated in international events in Canada, USA and Holland.

Contact: John Hanrahan
Call: 01202 861706

Foresight (North East Lincolnshire) Limited - Yorkshire

Foresight (North East Lincolnshire) Limited provide services for the blind and visually impaired people, their cares and families throughout North East Lincolnshire.

Foresight was set up over 7 years ago and provides leisure, sporting and social activities for the community as well as learning and training opportunities adapted specifically for blind and visually impaired people.

The group’s Putting the See in Community project, offers an extensive curriculum of vocational, non-vocational, accredited and non accredited learning and training. The organisation also provides a befriending service to older blind and visually impaired people called Eye Need a Friend, working in partnership with the local authority and facilitates an information desk at the Eye clinic of the local hospital.

Due to the success of the project, Foresight will shortly be expanding its area of benefit to include physically disabled people. They are also working with Futurebuilders with a view to relocation into larger premises, which will further improve their standards of service delivery.

Contact: Paul Silvester
Tel: 01472 269666

Friends of Somersham Library - East England

In 2002, Somersham was faced with the loss of their library; and it was then that Friends of Somersham Library (FOSL) was formed to oppose the closure. Through working with the Cambridgeshire County Council, Friends of Somersham library remained open and a Community Information Centre was established in the building, run and managed by volunteers for four years.

A library is more than books on a shelf. FOSL do lend books, DVDs and audio books, but in addition, they provide computer and Internet access and run training sessions to teach software skills. FOSL also run a weekly story time slot for young children and a monthly coffee morning for adults, as well as quizzes and talks, a reading group and activities to make the library the very centre of the community.

As a result FOSL has transformed the appeal and the use of the old library building. It is a hive of activity with a strong base of over 50 volunteers representing a cross-section of the community who work incredibly hard to ensure success. The volunteers, all unpaid, undertake an array of tasks, from working in the Centre during opening hours, to tackling tasks such as book buying, preparing the books to go on the shelves, sorting the hundreds of book donations received, organising fund-raising events, cleaning, gardening and maintaining the building.

It is FOSL’s responsibility to fund the running of the library and they do this by constant fundraising and applying for grants, all of which is carried out by volunteers. FOSL also receive support from our Parish Council.

You will find FSOL on Church Street, opposite St John’s Church, Somersham, at the heart of the community.

Contact: Julie Liddle
Call: 01487 841615

Friends United Network - London

Friends United Network (FUN) is a charity supporting children from single-parent families growing up in disadvantaged communities in London. FUN provides long-term mentors who spend about 3-4 hours with a child once a week. The volunteers take on a role something akin to an honorary Uncle or Aunty, someone who is there for the child reliably and consistently, providing stability and support in otherwise chaotic and socially fragmented lives.

In contrast to most mentoring programmes, FUN doesn’t offer a short-term intervention but aims to support children with a friend ‘for life’. Many of the children that the charity helps have suffered from insecure adult relationships through bereavement, loss and other problems. Very often their self-confidence and esteem is seriously under-developed as a result of the lack of consistent adult support in their lives. FUN volunteers have a huge impact on improving the security and well-being of such children.

Building up a child’s sense of security is a long-term goal needing long-term commitment from FUN’s volunteers and staff. The charity has been around since 1983 and some of the children that have been through the programme are now adults in their early twenties. Although these volunteers and children will no longer meet up regularly, many of them still keep up frequent contact and play a big part in each others lives, very much as extended family members would.

The idea behind FUN friendships is as simple as it is effective. Happy and resilient children need solid networks of family and friends. Friends United Network provides an additional layer of social support and friendship when a child’s natural support network is not strong enough.

FUN currently supports 90 children in Camden and Islington but is planning to expand over the next years to work with many more children across London.

Contact: Richard Turner (Chief Executive)
Call: 0207 485 0900
Email: richard@friendsunitednetwork.org.uk
Website: www.friendsunitednetwork.org.uk

Generation Link - London

Generation Link matches young, isolated parents and their children with older trained volunteers as surrogate grandparents. Generation Link’s 61 strong group of 40+ volunteers have provided support and advice to over 50 families and 100 children within the borough of Lambeth over the past year, via their support network.

Each volunteer is trained for their role as a surrogate grandparent; they are assigned to a family and work with them to agree what kind of help and support they need. Carrie Andrews, an ex volunteer and committee member of Generation Link knows first hand how valuable the volunteers can be to families in crisis:

“I worked as a volunteer for 12 months from October 2001 and witnessed some real success stories. As a volunteer I gave practical support to a mother who had recently been re-housed to escape a violent marriage. With six young children, she was depressed and in a state of shock when I first met her. Throughout the six months I worked with her and her family to get her life back on track through practical help with household chores and emotional support. She has now recovered emotionally and as we grew so close, we still see each other.”

“We are truly grateful to receive an award of this kind. Our team of volunteers work hard with vulnerable families within the borough of Lambeth. We have seen great progress in how families cope with difficult situations since our volunteers have been on hand to offer their counsel and guidance. The Award is a fantastic reward for the outstanding service our team provides” – Felicity Couch, Generation Link Co-ordinator.

Contact: Felicity Couch
Call: 02077359130
Email: generation-link@welcare-lambeth.org.uk

Grow Limited - Channel Islands

Grow Limited was set up 22 years ago with the aim of aiding and supporting those with learning difficulties via occupational training, with the overall objective of placing them in the community so they can lead as normal life as possible. Grow Limited involves its members in the growing and selling of bedding plants, which it sells direct to the public from its premises in Le Coutanchez.

Founded in 1983 by the Guernsey Society for the mentally handicapped, Guernsey’s Rural Occupation Workshop (Grow Limited) provides training and sheltered work for people with a learning disability, in horticulture and related craft industries for a 2 to 3 year training programme period. Following training, members are then supported in finding outside employment or work as a sheltered worker within Grow Limited. Many people have benefited and Grow Limited has given these people a real purpose in life thought aiding their active participation in the community, giving them the skills and confidence necessary to get mainstream work.

Since its formation, Grow Limited has seen a couple of famous faces pass its doors. The late Queen Mother visited Guernsey around 20 years ago and invited volunteers and members of Grow Limited to meet her at the Beau Sejour leisure centre on the island. Members of the scheme presented her with potatoes and tomatoes they had grown and in turn, received a lovely thank you letter from her Royal Highness following the event.

Paul Gascoigne was another visitor of the centre a few years ago. Visiting in his own time, he spent an afternoon playing football with some of the sheltered workers and scheme participants. This was a real boost for morale and is remembered as a very positive event by Grow’s volunteers and members.

“We are delighted to receive an award of this kind. It will be most welcome by our team of hard working members who’ve provided an endless supply of lovingly grown plants to the community throughout their training period - we very much look forward to receiving our Award” – Mr Matthew Kerr, Manager of Grow Limited.

Contact: Mr Matthew Kerr
Call: 01481242344

Holy Trinity Meeting Place - West Midlands

The Holy Trinity Meeting Place provides friendship and a listening ear where the lonely, the insecure and the homeless of Coventry can share in a hot meal in a safe, relaxed and Christian atmosphere.

Two teams of volunteers ensure that the welcome is extended two evenings a week throughout most of the year. Meeting Place work in partnership with the Salvation Army who provides the use of their premises to provide a warm and comfortable environment.

Meeting Place is celebrating its silver anniversary later in 2007 having started in 1982 following a viewing of a moving video about a deprived community in Mexico City. This inspirational story enabled the founders of Meeting Place to make the connection that in Coventry, there are people in similar deprived situations that would benefit from the family atmosphere that Meeting Place now provides.

Twenty-five years on, up to 50 visitors whose ages range between 18 and 80 visit Meeting Place, some of whom have been coming for many years.

Home-Start Banbury and Chipping Norton (in Oxfordshire) - South East

Home-Start Banbury & Chipping Norton is a home-visiting scheme offering friendship and support to parents with young children, so that every child can have a good start in life.

Last year, its network of volunteers supported more than 180 children by visiting families and providing emotional support during difficult or stressful times. The Home-Start volunteers are parents themselves, so they understand the pressures involved in bringing up young children.

Contact: Mrs Deborah Hayter
Call: 01295 811 176

HOPE (Hospitalfield Organic Produce Enterprise) Trust - Scotland

The HOPE Trust provides horticultural training and work experience opportunities for people with learning disabilities living in the Angus area.

HOPE was set up over 12 years ago because of a lack of sheltered work and training opportunities for people with learning disabilities. The HOPE Trust produces organically grown vegetables that are sold on site or through a local box scheme to the community. The organic vegetables are grown at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath on land made available rent-free by Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust.

HOPE employs three staff members who are involved in training as well as gardening. The scheme involves volunteers as gardeners, committee members and directors of the trust.

A recent event took two gardeners and one trainee to Hungary as part of a Community Art Project organised by the Hospitalfield Trust.

“We are extremely delighted to receive an award of such importance. Our volunteers have been working hard over the years to build up a strong voluntary organisation. Not only do we open up employment opportunities for members of the community with learning difficulties, but we provide Angus with fresh, organic produce.” Cedric De Voil,

London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard

London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (LLGS) is a group of volunteers who staff a telephone helpline offering information, support and referrals for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.

Set up over 33 years ago, LLGS speaks to some 28,000 callers on a yearly basis (yearly figures for 2005-2006). Calls deal with a broad range of subjects from coming out to going out; gay parenting to being the parent of a gay child; falling in love to civil partnership; safer sex and sexual health to homophobia, abuse and domestic violence.

Although the charity is based in London, at least 40% of calls each year come from people outside the capital, and the callers come from a wide range of backgrounds. LLGS has built a network, the Turing Project, to share information with other gay organisations around the country. The Turing Project website at www.queery.org.uk provides a web-based database of venues, organisation and services for the LGB community.

LLGS was set up after the first gay newspaper for gay men and lesbians – Gay News – received a large number of calls from people needing support and information about being gay, and how to meet other gay people. In response to this demand, volunteers agreed to set up the phone lines; and on 4th March 1974, the first call was made to Gay Switchboard. The organisation became London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard in 1982.

Promoting safer sex and sexual health has always been a key focus for the helpline. Volunteers from LLGS went on to found Terrence Higgins Trust, while the work done by LLGS volunteers on HIV formed the basis of the National Aids Manual, the core work on the subject for health professionals and the public.

“Being chosen for the Queen’s Award is a real achievement for us. Since our inception in 1974 we’ve offered support to lesbians, gay men and bisexuals – as well as their families, friends and colleagues – throughout the UK. Such an accolade is a fantastic recognition of our achievements as a not-for-profit organisation. We look forward to receiving the Award” – Mr Steven Wilkinson, Co-Chair of London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard

Contact: Mr Steven Wilkinson
Call: 020 7837 6768
Website: www.llgs.org.uk

Merthyr Phab Club - Wales

Merthyr Phab Club provides facilities for disabled and able-bodied people to integrate through a range of organised activities.

The Merthyr Phab Club was set up 20 years ago when founding member, Terry Collins, observed the isolation and lack of facilities for a group of local disabled young people. Through hard work and determination, funds were raised and accommodation secured for these individuals to meet with more able-bodied contemporaries, to share experiences, socialise and integrate.

Volunteers arrange activities both on the weekly Thursday club nights and at weekends at the Afon Taf Centre in Troedyhiw, Merthyr Twdfil. Activities range from snooker and table tennis to sailing on tall ships and ice hockey matches. In June this year, the Club arranged an outdoor pursuits activity weekend in Wales for their members.

The group also contribute to the local community, arranging concerts at home for the elderly and through the community service section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

“We are delighted to receive an Award of this magnitude. Our volunteers have worked so hard over the years to secure the facilities needed to support disabled members of our community. We are incredibly proud of this recognition, which falls on our 20th year since the birth of our club. “ Terry Collins, Chairperson

Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire - East England

The Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire (MBCOL) was set up 12 years ago to address the need for burial and bereavement services for the Muslim community.

MBCOL has a large volunteer base that provides services which now extend beyond their original focus of burial and bereavement. In addition to providing access to interment services out of normal working hours, the team of volunteers offer counselling services; educational activities; training and resources via their Centre regarding bereavement for the Muslim population, which currently stands at over 50,000 in Leicester. Not only does MBCOL serve the Muslim community but works with the Christian, Hindu, Jews and Sikh communities too.

The MBCOL model is based on a unique arrangement with Leicester City Council which enables MBCOL to perform official administrative tasks in order to facilitate funerals outside office hours and at weekends and public holidays. This model has been considered by many other towns and cities across the country wanting to set up a burial and bereavement service for their local faith community.

The importance of their work is recognised in the United Kingdom, and has received support from several European countries making the work of MBCOL of regional, national and European importance. MBCOL is a classic example of how in a multi-plural and multi-cultural society, a faith-based organisation is willing to serve the wider society regardless of faith, colour and creed.

The expertise of MBCOL in this area has meant that its members and volunteers have contributed in consultations with the Home Office and other statutory bodies. This is largely due to the commitment, vision and hard work of its Trustees and volunteers, without such dedication the project would have withered and failed.

Mr Suleman Nagdi MBE, the founding trustee of MBCOL said “The selfless and committed hard work of all those associated with MBCOL is greatly valued and this honour is just recognition to all involved with our organisation. We are delighted in being granted this award, and I hope that this will underpin our future work to continue to serve the faith community in Leicester in this challenging and sometimes difficult area. I must also acknowledge my fellow board members, who have demonstrated a tremendous sense of vision and purpose. It this impetus that adds to the cohesion of our multi-faith society in the UK which I pray will translate to other parts of the world”.

Contact: Mr Suleman Nagdi MBE
MBCOL – 394 East Park Road, Leicester. LE5 5HH
Call: 07759 446 555
Email: nagdi@ntlworld.com

Newport Cottage Care Centre Trust - West Midlands

Newport Cottage Care Centre Trust (NCCT) provides day care facilities for older people in Newport and the surrounding area.

The NCCT operates from the former Cottage Hospital purchased from the Health Authority in September 1993 and can provide places for up to 30 elderly people per day. The Centre provides a range of stimulating activities for the visitors as well as companionship and a welcome change of environment for the person in need of care. In addition, each day the elderly visitors are provided with a three course, home cooked lunch, with a choice of menu.

The NCCT launched an appeal for a new minibus just under a year ago with a target of £40,000. Thanks to much local support the minibus has been funded and on its way to the Trust for immediate use.

The St George’s Recreation Ground and Public Hall - West Midlands

The St George’s Recreation Ground and Public Hall provide recreational facilities for the people of the area of the former Oakengates Urban District Council, and in particular, the areas of St George’s and Priorslee.

The ground was established in 1924 by volunteers as a facility for the hard working community of miners, colliers, quarrymen and steelworkers to play sport and unwind. It was initially set up as a home for football, cricket and tennis with an athletics track encircling the football pitch. Today, there are two cricket pitches, two bowling greens and an astro turf pitch used for hockey and football. There is also a thriving private member’s club and a large function room at the Public Hall, available for public hire.

Contact: Ashley Smith
Call: 01952 613383

The Tilbury Riverside Project, Charity N0.1068744 - East England

The Tilbury Riverside Project (TRP) concerns itself with environmental regeneration and promotes and encourages awareness and pride of the local Tilbury riverfront, Common land and historical features.

The TRP volunteers work closely within the community, with projects to help restore a sense of pride in their environment and in order to stop an economically disadvantaged area from falling further into decline. Through raising awareness of local surroundings and working with other local community groups and schools, TRP have been central in the development and regeneration of the town – residents are now proud to say they live in Tilbury.

Contact: Peter Hewitt
Call: 01375 857115

Truro Gateway Club - South West

Truro Gateway Club provides a weekly social outlet for people with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities.

Truro Gateway Club was set up in 1984 to address the lack of opportunities in the Truro area for learning-disabled people to access leisure activities in an organised, supported group environment.

The activities offered by the Club are wide ranging and span from snooker, table tennis and darts to arts and craft and drama. As well as the usual weekly activities, volunteers and club leaders also provide outings at weekends and evenings and accompany small groups for weekend breaks away from Cornwall, often to London. Not only does this allow Gateway’s club members to socialise and bond, but it allows for a much valued form of respite care for parents and carers.

Truro Gateway Club has the longest serving Gateway club leaders in Cornwall who have been serving the community for 22 years.

Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade - North East

The Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB) assists in the search and rescue of shipwreck or other water related crisis on the coastline of Tynemouth.

TVLB was originally formed by the local citizens of North Shields and Tynemouth in 1864 in response to the growing number of shipwrecks and loss of life at the mouth of River Tyne. The team of 31 volunteers are called out on average about 130 times a year and over the years; they have rescued and saved the lives of over 400 people. Rescues have included cliff rescue, recovering injured persons from the rocks, searching for missing persons and assisting in the transfer of casualties to ambulances.

TVLB not only operate a search and rescue service but they aim to preserve and communicate the role of the service to a wider audience. TVLB Watch House Museum manages a local museum that holds collections preserved by the Brigade in order to increase the understanding of the role and work of the TVLB and lifesaving along the North East coast. Currently TVLB are working with schools to produce a ‘Water Safety’ pack that will raise awareness of the need to stay safe and prevent accidents in and around coastal areas.

“This is a real achievement for us. Our team of volunteers have worked really hard to build up a strong rescue team and will be delighted to receive such recognition for their strength and determination to make this work. The Award is not only recognition of today’s volunteers, but proof of the hard work and achievement of our past workers who have been in the Brigade history since 1864” – Mr William Hogg, Chairman and Captain of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade.

Contact: Mr William Hogg
Call: 01912961982
Website: www.tvlb.org

Vale Royal Disability Services - North West

Vale Royal Disability Services (VRDS) is a voluntary, charitable organisation that was set up to provide accurate information to empower physically disabled people, their families and carers. The aim is to provide greater awareness of choices, rights and influence over all aspects of life.

VRDS has 39 volunteers operating across a number of different local sites providing a variety of services such as: -

• Shopmobility Services – managing the services in Northwich and Winsford, giving independence and freedom to disabled shoppers
• Information Services – offering a telephone service from their head office, face-to-face information from their two Shopmobility offices and from their information desk at Northwich Infirmary
• Supporting People – they offer this service to help disabled people to remain independently in their own homes, rather than forced into residential care
• Short-term Wheelchair Loan Service – available from their two Shopmobility offices and from their information desk at the Northwich Infirmary
• Learning Centres – 10 IT Learning Centres across the county

Worcestershire Pre-School Learning Alliance VIP Special Needs Scheme - West Midlands

Worcestershire Pre-school Learning Alliance VIP Special Needs Scheme (PLA) helps children under 5 who have a disability or serious illness to attend a local voluntary or private pre-school / nursery provision. This support is mainly provided by volunteers, who are recruited and trained by PLA staff to work on a one-to-one basis with individual children.

Set up 16 years ago, the VIP Scheme offers support to parents who are only just beginning to come to terms with their child’s disability by providing a listening ear, training, advice and guidance to help them plan positively for the future. The VIP Scheme also provides much needed practical help and support to the pre-schools to assist them in providing appropriate provision for children with disabilities and/or illness.